Thursday, April 24, 2008

The last Maoist collective in China goes capitalist.

It seems that the last bastion of the Maoist collective in China has called it quits and has moved to adopt capitalism. The idyllic village of Nanjie was a model of clean egalitarianism. It was noted for, “it’s well-kept apartments and spacious schools.” I'm sure that Progressives everywhere had their hearts swell with great satisfaction when learning of the fairness of Nanjie: The village provided “free housing, schooling and health care, supporting a standard of living so much better than surrounding towns.” But like most attempts at a collective society where everything is “free,” this workers utopia in central China was a bankrupt illusion.

Don't let this fool you though! They are just using our money to build up their military using our capitalist system. These guys are still our enemy..they've just figured out how to get more money. Watch your back! They want to be the world's superpower and if we don't reverse our course..that could very well happen!

Bobo: I know that the Chinese are working hard building a blue water navy; It's something to be aware of. The U.S. needs to get its fiscal house in order, no doubt.

Erica: I completely understand your point. And I agree, no system is perfect. But my hope is that we don't repeat some of the errors that some European nations have come across. We definitely need HC reform.

Their physical wealth is only going to keep them happy for so long. It seems every country that has rises in physical wealth, seem to experience a social or political backlash where people, content with their material wealth, moved on to more "progressive" ideas. It happened it England, America, and in much of Europe. Once the Chinese inevitably demand political freedom as well as economic freedom, it will be Communism's last real test of survival. It's only a matter of time, agree?

dcmart: Yes, I agree. In "Capitalism and Freedom," Milton Friedman described the gist of your comment. He believed that as a command economy adopted free-market ideals, it may over a period of time, lead to greater political freedoms for its citizens.